News. Faith. Nonsense.

Hedges

I gave a good list of Christian books yesterday, but I want to add one more. This one is called “Hedges” by Jerry Jenkins, one of the authors of the “Left Behind” series. Coffeeswirls gives a good review:

One of many important steps toward shoring up our defenses that I brought out of his book contradicted much of what you hear from marriage councilors, both Christian and secular. Jenkins acknowledges that marriage is to be treasured and defended, but stresses that the greatest defense does not call for us to rush into battle or to withstand the temptations we all face. Rather, he reminds us that the battle against sexual immorality is won, not on the battlefield, but in our retreat.

2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Jenkins clearly defined his purposes for this book and met each one of those purposes with boldness, truth and practical tips. If I have any complaint, it is that he apologized to anyone who feels that his guidelines may seem prudish or old-fashioned. In fifty years, the stigma of divorce has changed from that of a cultural anomaly to become something that is expected. Nobody walks down an aisle hoping their marriage will fail, yet so many people are completely unprepared to defend their vows. The advice in this book is neither prudish nor is it archaic. Jenkins does not claim to be anything other than what he is, a loving husband and father. â€œHedgesâ€ is one book that I fully recommend, not for its deep message but for its simple approach to help any man who is sincere in his desire to make his marriage one that will withstand the test of time.